The Lost Playground: How 'No Ball Games' Signs Are Silencing the Sound of Children's Laughter

New research finds a sharp fall in children's outdoor play, with UK primary school children playing fewer adventurous outdoor activities than their parents or grandparents. A mere 27% of children play outside on a regular basis, down 50% in free outdoor play. Causes of this dip are such things as more screen time, parents' safety worries, and "No Ball Games" notices in housing estates. Specialists inform that this trend could affect children's risk estimation skills and mental health management. In order to counter it, some cities, like Aberdeen, have abolished all the "No Ball Games" signs with the intention to make playgrounds more friendly places for kids to play.
Source: University of Reading, Aberdeen City Council, Playground Research Organization